Chicken / Edamame / Peach Salsa Crock Pot Soup

The edamame adds a nice crunch and visual appeal to this dish...as well as protein and soluble fiber, too.

6 oz. Chopped chicken breasts

2 Cups Cherry tomatoes

2 Cups Roasted Tomato Sauce

1 Cup Chopped Onion

1 Cup Chopped Yellow or Green Pepper

26 oz. Low sodium vegetable broth

14 oz. Mrs. Renfro's Peach Salsa

15 oz. Kernel corn - no salt added

10 oz. Edamame

2 Tsp garlic powder
2 Tsp  cumin

2 Tsp Mrs. Dash 

2 Tsp Black Pepper

 

Before Serving, add:

1 tsp garlic powder (to taste)

1 tsp cumin (to taste)

Combine all the ingredients with the exception of the single teaspoons of garlic powder and cumin. In slow cooker, set on high for one hour.  Then, cook on low setting for 3-4 hours. Stir in the teaspoons of the cumin and garlic powder to taste. Makes eight servings.

Salmon Asparagus Farro Bowl

Crock Pot Tortellini-Roasted Tomatoes-Winter Vegs

9 oz package three cheese or spinach tortellini
16 oz roasted tomatoes
16 oz tomato pasta sauce
10-16 oz of chopped frozen mixed winter vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc.)
3 TBS basil
2 TBS Garlic & Herb seasoning
2 TBS pepper seasoning or Italian seasoning

• In a slow cooker, pour 8 oz of tomato pasta sauce into the bottom
• Sprinkle on one-third of the basil and seasonings
• Add tortellini, spread evenly over pasta sauce
• Add 16 oz roasted tomatoes
• Sprinkle on one-third of the basil and seasoning
• Add mixed vegetables
• Pour 8 oz of tomato pasta sauce over the vegetables
• Sprinkle on top the remaining basil and seasoning.

• Cover and cook on the high setting, about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
• Serve with grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• Makes four servings.

Roasted Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes add so much more tomato flavor to any recipe you prepare that calls for tomatoes (such as pasta sauce, whole tomatoes or diced tomatoes). And it's an easy way to preserve the harvest for use throughout the year, either canned or frozen.

To preserve the most flavor, roast them at a low temperature for a long period of time. Convection ovens, which distribute the heat more equally, are great for this. If you don't have a convection oven, be sure to turn the tomatoes once at the midpoint of the roasting process.

Our recipe:
• Cut fresh tomatoes into equally thick slices, about a quarter-inch to a half-inch thick (no peeling necessary!). Cherry tomatoes can be cut in half.
• Place cut tomatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 
• Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 90 minutes to two hours at 300 degrees (250 if your convection oven goes that low). If roasting on two trays simultaneously on upper and lower racks, switch them half way through. Check for doneness at 90 minutes; go longer if necessary.
• The tomatoes will shrink, but should still look somewhat meaty.
• Freeze in small batches or can them (hot water processing) in pint or quart jars.

Four Bean Chili

Nutritious. Warming. Low in calories, salt, carbs, fat and sugar. High in fiber. Colorful. Vegan (minus the grated cheese). Mild. Easy!
 
4 oz. red beans
4 oz. black turtle beans
4 oz. great northern white beans
4 oz. pinto beans
32 oz. chopped tomatoes (we combine cherry tomatoes and roasted tomatoes)
10 oz. diced sweet red and green peppers (hot peppers optional)
5 oz. chopped onions
3 cloves garlic
1 TBS dried basil leaves
1 TBS chili powder
1 TBS ground cumin
1 TBS Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime
2 C hot water

For best results, soak dried beans overnight. If using canned beans, rinse thoroughly.

Mix all ingredients into a four-quart slow cooker. Low heat for approximately 8 hours.

Optional: top serving with grated cheese. To increase the spicy heat, add a chopped jalapeno pepper.

Serves 8.

Corn & Black Bean Quinoa Salad

From Eating Well, Aug. 2013

(h^f = high fiber )

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Low Salt, Low Sugar

5 tomatoes (chopped)
4 sweet peppers (chopped)
1 jalapeno-style pepper, chopped, seeds removed (optional)
1.5 Cups carrots (chopped)
4 stalks celery (chopped)
2 onions (chopped)
15 oz. canned kernel corn no salt added
15 oz pinto beans no salt added
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
15 oz. mild chunky salsa
6 bay leaves

Mix together all ingredients into a slow cooker. 
Cover and cook on low heat, about 8 hours.

Top with grated cheese (optional).
Makes 6 servings.

Chicken Thighs/Mandarin-Tomato/CrockPot

8 oz chicken thighs, skin removed, cut into 1" pieces
1 onion, chopped
12 oz. carrots, chopped
14.5 oz diced tomatoes, no salt added
6 oz tomato paste, no salt added
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 mandarins, segmented
1 blood orange, juice and zest
1 TBS dried basil
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp Mrs Dash Garlic & herb seasoning
1 tsp sugar
2 TBS lemon juice (optional)

In a slow cooker, combine the chicken, onion, carrots, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, the mandarin segments, juice of the blood orange, the zest of the blood orange, basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, ground pepper and Mrs. Dash. Mix thoroughly.

Cover and cook on low heat in the slow cooker for 5-6 hours. Don't let the chicken get too dry. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice (optional). Serve over rice.

Makes four servings.
Nutrition per serving:

Healthy, Easy Blueberry Smoothie

2 Cups Unsweetened Almond milk, vanilla flavor

1 frozen banana

1 Cup Non-Fat Greek yogurt, plain

1 Cup frozen blueberries (or pluots, peaches, mulberries, pitted cherries, etc.)

Blend almond milk, banana and yogurt. Add blueberries. Blend on high speed until mixed thoroughly.

Makes 32 ounces (four servings)

Nutritional data for an 8 oz. blueberry smoothie:

Fisherman's Stew

1 Cup cherry tomatoes

14.5 oz diced tomatoes, no salt added

1 Cup water

10 oz. apple juice

6 oz tomato paste, no salt added

5 oz. diced peppers

5 oz. diced onions

5 oz. diced celery

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 TBS dried basil

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp dried rosemary

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 tsp Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning

2 bay leaves

8 oz small scallops

8 oz. small or medium shrimp, shelled

11 oz. cod or halibut filets, cut into half-inch chunks

4 oz. mushrooms, stems & pieces

In a slow cooker, mix together the tomatoes, apple juice, water, tomato paste, peppers, onions, celery, garlic, basil, thyme, rosemary, ground pepper, Mrs. Dash and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low setting 5-6 hours. Remove bay leaves.

Stir in scallops, shrimp, cod or halibut. Cover and cook on the high setting 20-30 minutes.

Stir in mushrooms.

Serve in soup bowls.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional data for 1 serving of Fisherman's Stew:

Super Bowl of Chicken Salsa Chili

14 oz. boneless, skinless, chicken: diced into 1" cubes

5 oz. diced onions

5 oz. diced red/green peppers

2/3 Cup finely chopped garlic or elephant garlic

10 oz can of Rotel Diced Tomato & Green Chili - Original

15 oz can of low salt garbanzo beans

15 oz can of low salt black beans

15 oz can of no salt added kidney beans

16 oz cherry tomatoes

28 oz. tomato puree

1 cup unsalted chicken broth

2 TBS fresh cilantro

1 TBS chili powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 TBS Mrs. Dash garlic & herb seasoning

fresh lime juice to taste

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.

Cook on low, 6-8 hours

Makes 8 servings

Nutrition for 1 serving of Super Bowl of Chicken Salsa Chili:

Steamed Halibut with Bok Choy

From: whfoods.org

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:

4 pieces of halibut filet, or steaks, about 5-6 oz each
1 medium onion, cut in half and sliced medium thick
5 cups chopped bok choy, cut into 1/2-inch slices (remove tips of leaves and discard)
2 cups thickly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms, 1/2-inch thick), stems removed

Dressing
1/3 cup minced scallion
3 medium cloves garlic, pressed
1 TBS finely minced fresh ginger
3 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
salt and white pepper to taste

Directions:
Slice onion, chop bok choy, and press garlic and let them sit for at least 5 minutes.
 

Mix together dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
 

Add 2-inches of water to the bottom of a steamer and bring to a boil.
 

Sprinkle a little salt and white pepper over halibut before steaming. 

Layer the onion, mushrooms, and halibut (in this order) in the steamer basket. Cover, and steam for about 3 minutes. 

Add bok choy and steam for 3 more minutes
 

Serve on a platter with halibut nestled on top of vegetables and drizzle dressing over all of it. 

Serves 4
 
Serving Suggestion: Serve with Seaweed Rice

per serving:

 

Chicken with Figs and Lemon over Rice

(revised from p. 84 "The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever")

11 oz. Chicken Broth, no salt added

3 oz (2 packets) McCormick's Slow Cookers Italian Herb Chicken Recipe Mix

1 tsp ground cinnamon

6 garlic cloves, minced

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 onion, chopped

8 oz. dried Mission figs, halved

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Parsley for garnish

In a slow cooker, mix together the chicken broth, recipe mix, cinnamon, garlic, and zest & juice of the lemon. Stir in the onion and figs. Push the chicken pieces down into the mixture in the pot.

Cover and cook on the low heat setting about 4 hours. Don't overcook. Chicken should be moist. 

Serve over Trader Joe's organic brown rice. Add a green garnish, such as parsley or cilantro.

Serves 4.

One serving contains:

Tortelloni/Vegetable Soup

Originally from the book, "The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever", this recipe has been modified to reduce the calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar and sodium. Modifications have also increased the calcium, fiber and protein per serving. Makes 8 servings.

32 oz. Kitchen Basics Vegetable Stock (no added sodium)

1 (15oz) can whole kernel corn, no salt added

5 oz. chopped onion (substituted for a leek)

1 elephant garlic clove, chopped (substituted for 2 garlic cloves)

1 TBS dried basil (or 1/4 Cup fresh basil)

4 cups homegrown cherry tomatoes (substituted for 28 oz can of diced tomatoes)

5 oz. chopped red and green bell peppers

5 oz. snow peas, chopped (substituted for zucchini)

1 (9 ounce) package of Buitoni Cheese & Roasted Garlic tortelloni

1 TBS black pepper (instead of garlic pepper)

1 TBS Italian seasoning

1 TBS Mrs. Dash, table blend

===================================

In a 4-quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients together.

Cover & cook on high, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Don't overcook!

top with grated parmesan cheese, if desired

per serving:

Roasted Broccoli with Raisin Vinaigrette

from bonappetit.com 

(modified to reduce oils and servings, eliminate added salt)

Makes 2 servings

8 oz. broccoli, stems removed, cut into large florets

2 TBS extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 TBS red wine vinegar

1/4 cup raisins

1 TBS water

1/4 TSP ground cumin

Preheat oven to 400. Place broccoli on large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 TBS olive oil and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.  Roast broccoli until tender and brown in spots, about 25 minutes.

For the Vinaigrette: combine 1 TBS olive oil, the red wine vinegar, raisins, water and cumin in blender. Blend until raisins are finely chopped, about 30 seconds. Season with pepper to taste.

Transfer broccoli to large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Southwest Chicken Salsa Soup

13 oz. chopped chicken breasts

2 Cups cherry tomatoes

1 Cup Chopped Onion

32 oz. low sodium vegetable broth

7 oz medium heat (or no heat) salsa

15 oz. kernel corn - no salt added

8-9 oz. frozen (or fresh) vegetable mix

1 Cup peppers

1 TBS garlic powder
1 TBS cumin

1 TBS Mrs. Dash

1 TBS black pepper 

Before Serving, add:

1 tsp garlic powder (to taste)

1 tsp cumin (to taste)

Combine all the ingredients with the exception of the teaspoons of garlic powder and cumin. In slow cooker, set on high for one hour.  Then, cook on low setting for 3-4 hours. Stir in the other half of the cumin and garlic powder to taste. Makes eight servings

Per serving:

Broiled Salmon Salad

Broiled Salmon Salad (from whfoods.org)

This is great-tasting, easy-to-prepare salmon salad with a refreshing sauce. The herbs are not only flavorful, but are also full of nutrients. Feel free to add more salad ingredients of your liking. Substitute the romaine lettuce with Swiss Chard or spinach for a more nutrient-rich dish.

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:

3/4 lb salmon filets cut in 4 pieces
2 TBS chopped fresh mint
3 TBS chopped fresh basil
2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
2 TBS lemon juice
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
3 TBS chopped pumpkin seeds
salt & pepper to taste
1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
1 medium tomato, seeds and excess pulp removed and sliced
1/2 medium avocado cut into 1 inch chunks
2 TBS lemon juice
extra virgin olive oil to taste
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Cut salmon into 4 pieces, season with salt and pepper, place on a plate and set aside. Preheat broiler on high and put stainless steel skillet (make sure handle is also stainless) for about 10 minutes until very hot. Do not use glass or pyrex for this.
Mix together mint, basil, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped pumpkin seeds, salt and pepper. Set aside. This is your herb mixture.
Prepare lettuce, tomato and avocado and toss with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Remove pan from heat and place salmon on hot pan. Quick Broil salmon for about 4 minutes. Do not turn. Because pan is hot salmon will cook very quickly. Place on a plate next to salad and top with herb mixture. You will have some herb mixture left over. It is so good you may also want to drizzle it on the salad greens.
Serves 4

Nutritional analysis available at;

http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?pfriendly=1&tname=recipeprofile&dbid=139

Salmon with Mustard and Ginger

From the book, The World's Healthiest Foods :

Salmon with Mustard and Ginger

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

       8 oz salmon fillet

       2 tsp + 1 TBS lemon juice

       1 TBS extra virgin olive oil

       1 clove garlic, pressed

       1 tsp yellow or Dijon mustard

       1/2 tsp soy sauce

       2 TBS cilantro

       2 TBS grated ginger

       sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.           To Quick Broil salmon, preheat broiler and place an all stainless steel skillet (be sure the handle is also stainless steel) or cast iron pan under the heat for about 10 minutes to get it very hot. The pan should be 5 to 7 inches from the heat source.

2.           Rub salmon with 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. (You can Quick Broil with the skin on; it just takes a minute or two longer. The skin will peel right off after cooking.)

3.           Using a hot pad, pull pan away from heat and place salmon on hot pan, skin side down. Return to broiler. Keep in mind that it is cooking rapidly on both sides so it will be done very quickly, usually in 7 minutes depending on thickness. Test with a fork for doneness. It will flake easily when it is cooked. Salmon is best when it is still pink inside.

4.           Top salmon 1 TBS lemon juice and the remaining ingredients.

Grilled romaine lettuce

The firm, crunchy leaves of romaine lettuce can take some heat - and 

a brief bit of time on the grill gives  them tempting charred edges and 

wilts them ever-so-slightly in a wonderful way, adding additional texture.

Heat your grill to high heat. You can split large heads of romaine in half 

lengthwise, if you like.

Brush the head(s) of romaine lettuce with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Place on the hot grill just until the edges of the leaves start to char, 

turn and char on the other side and remove from grill.

This should all take about 2 or 3 minutes on each side.

There are two great ways to serve grilled romaine:

First, serve whole small heads or larger heads cut lengthwise as-is, 

drizzled with a bit more olive oil,lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt, 

as well as freshly ground black pepper and/or some gratings of 

Parmesan, Manchego, or other hard cheese. 

Second, chop the grilled romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces and 

toss with your favorite salad dressing.

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Links in this article:

1. http://localfoods.about.com/od/saladdressings/Salad_Dressings_Vinaigrettes.htm
2. http://localfoods.about.com/od/tossedsalads/r/Grilled-Romaine-Summer-Salad.htm

Rosemary Swordfish Skewers with Sweet Pepper Salad

• 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 4 small sweet peppers (Gypsy, Lipstick, Jimmy Nardello): two sliced into quarter-inch rounds, two cut into thin strips

• One-half small onion, cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced, soaked in ice water

• 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

• 2 Tbs sherry (or rice) vinegar

• 2 oz. fresh greens (or arugula), about 4 cups

• Salt to taste

• Ground pepper to taste

• 12 oz. swordfish steaks, trimmed & cut into 1" cubes

• 1-2 Tbs. minced fresh rosemary 

• 1 lemon, quartered

Bring oil and garlic to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until garlic is toasted and light golden brown, about six minutes (or less). Pour oil through a fine meshed sieve into a small bowl and let cool. Reserve garlic chips for garnish.

Combine peppers, onion, vinegar, and 1/4 cup garlic oil in a large bowl. Add greens. Toss to coat. Season salad with salt and pepper. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Place cubed swordfish on skewers (bamboo or metal). Brush fish with remaining garlic oil; sprinkle with rosemary and season with salt & pepper.

Grill swordfish over medium-high heat until opaque in the center and lightly browned in spots, about 2 minutes on each of the four sides. (total: 8 minutes)

Place skewer on top of salad on each plate. Garnish with garlic chips and lemon quarters for squeezing.

528 calories, 30 grams fat, 5.6 grams saturated fat

Bon Appetit, August 2012 p.32